Platinum is about 30 times rarer than gold in the Earth's crust. For most of the 20th century, it traded at a premium to gold ("The Rich Man's Gold"). However, since 2008, it has traded at a significant discount.
This creates a unique proposition: Is it a generationally undervalued asset, or a structural victim of changing industrial needs?
Market Context
What Makes Platinum Different
Industrial Backbone
Critical for catalytic converters, fuel cells, and medical devices. Demand is driven by real-world use.
Supply Concentration
Over 70% of supply comes from South Africa and Russia. Geopolitical risk is inherent.
Historical Discount
Currently trading ~48% below the price of gold.
By The Numbers
Honest Assessment: Before You Buy
Platinum has underperformed gold for over 15 years. The shift to electric vehicles threatens its largest use case (catalytic converters). Hydrogen fuel cells could increase demand—but that's speculation, not certainty.
This is a contrarian position. Make sure you understand why you're taking it.
Platinum Products
American Platinum Eagle
Official U.S. bullion coin. .9995 fine. Government guaranteed.
Canadian Platinum Maple
.9995 fine from Royal Canadian Mint. Advanced security features.
Platinum Bars
Lower premiums than coins. From recognized refiners (PAMP, Valcambi).
Platinum IRAs
Yes, Platinum is IRA-eligible if it meets the .9995 purity requirement. Many clients use IRAs to lock in the current Platinum-Gold ratio discount tax-deferred.
View Eligible ProductsPremium Dynamics
Platinum has a smaller market than gold. Fewer refiners and dealers mean wider spreads and higher premiums percentage-wise. Liquidity is lower than gold/silver.